AN investigation is underway following the recovery of two firearms in Halewood in the last 48 hours.

The first gun – a revolver – and a quantity of ammunition was found by two 11-year-old boys as they were playing in Halewood Triangle Woods.

When they realised what they had come across, they ran home and their families alerted the police to the discovery.

When officers attended, they found the revolver and ammunition.

A decision was taken to carry out a more extensive search of the area, and less than 24 hours later a second firearm – a self-loading pistol with a magazine and ammunition – was also discovered by officers.

Mark Baker, head of investigations for Merseyside Police, said: "The recoveries of these guns in a wooded area that is regularly used by members of the public, including children, is beyond belief.

“But to be honest, it demonstrates the complete disregard that those involved in serious organised crime have for the majority of our communities who are decent, hard-working people.

“Thanks to the prompt actions of these two young boys, who had the common sense to not play with the weapon and to go home and alert an adult, we were able to take the revolver of our streets.

“A further search of the area resulted in the recovery of a second gun, a self-loading pistol, magazine and ammunition.

“We know that offenders involved in serious and organised crime sometimes use public spaces to hide firearms so that they can distance the gun from themselves and avoid being caught by police.

“Leaving viable weapons in open public spaces is despicable, and it could put innocent members of the public at risk.

“That is one of the reasons why we are relentless in our pursuit of these toxic individuals.

“We will not stop until we find those who are prepared to be involved in gun crime on our streets and have put them before the courts and behind bars.”